The Witches

What do our readers think of The Witches? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the book’s funny, frightening adventure and the clever plan involving mice. Some children find the witches, transformations and darker scenes genuinely scary.

What does the Pageticker team say about The Witches?

Roald Dahl turns a hotel holiday into a gloriously creepy battle of wits, mixing laugh-out-loud nastiness with real suspense and a wonderfully formidable grandmother. The boy’s courage and cleverness drive this darkly funny adventure, while Quentin Blake’s illustrations add just the right squiggly menace. Best suited to confident readers who enjoy being properly spooked; some children may find the transformation scenes, danger and bleak moments unsettling.

Genres

What is The Witches about?

When a young boy and his wise grandmother uncover a secret gathering of witches plotting to turn all children into mice, they must use their wits and courage to thwart the Grand High Witch's evil plan. This thrilling tale blends adventure and dark humour, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

About the author

Roald Dahl was a brilliant British author who wrote many fantastic stories for children. He is best known for books like 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'Matilda', and 'The BFG'. His stories are full of imagination, unusual characters, and exciting adventures that have delighted readers all around the world.

Discussion ideas around The Witches

Courage and cleverness: How does the boy show courage, and when does using his brain prove more useful than being strong?

A remarkable grandmother: What makes the grandmother such an effective witch-hunter, and how does her relationship with her grandson change the story?

Fear and humour: How does Roald Dahl make frightening events funny as well as scary, and which moments create that unusual mixture?

Spotting danger: The witches hide behind ordinary appearances. What does the story suggest about judging people by how they look or behave?

Facing unfairness: If a powerful group made a plan that harmed children, what could ordinary people do to challenge it?